Equipment & Tech

SAN DIEGO — TuSimple, a global self-driving truck company, has raised $95 million in Series D funding based on a pre-money valuation of $1 billion. The new capital investment will be used to fund TuSimple’s commercial ramp-up and product development. With this round, TuSimple will continue to grow its commercial autonomous fleet, which makes daily fully-autonomous deliveries in Arizona, and soon in Texas, for large shippers and fleets, according to Dr. Xiaodi Hou, founder, president and chief technology officer. The fleet allows the company to earn revenue while validating its SAE Level 4 fully-autonomous system, he said. The company currently has 12 contracted customers and is making three to five delivery trips per day. It will use the funds to grow the fleet to over 50 trucks by June. The investment will also be used to fund critical joint production programs with its OEM, Tier 1, and sensor partners in order to achieve full commercialization, Hou said. Suppliers essential to truck manufacturing are working with TuSimple on the integration of autonomous software with powertrain, braking and steering systems, an essential step for the commercial production and operation of self-driving trucks. The $95 million financing was completed in December 2018. This brings TuSimple’s total funding to date to $178 million. This latest round was led by Sina Corp., a technology company widely recognized for developing Weibo, a social media platforms. Composite Capital, a Hong Kong-based investment firm focused on consumer, technology and transportation companies globally also participated in this round. “TuSimple consistently reaches their milestones on and ahead of schedule and we are confident that they are poised to bring the first commercial self-driving trucks to market,” said Colin Xie, vice general manager, investment department, Sina Corp. “We are focused on finding the global leaders in artificial intelligence and TuSimple is ahead of the pack. The combination of technical excellence and an impressive leadership team has propelled the company into unicorn status.” “Autonomous driving is one of the most complex AI systems humans have ever built. After three years of intense focus to reach our technical goals, we have moved beyond research into the serious work of building a commercial solution,” Hou said. “We are thankful for the continued support of our investors and partners. This is not only a great sign of confidence in TuSimple, but also for the future of autonomous trucking.” TuSimple’s Level 4 fully-autonomous semi-trucks are the only trucks capable of driving from depot-to-depot without human intervention, Hou said. To support Level 4 driving on complex highway and local streets, the company has developed an innovative camera-centric perception solution that allows TuSimple’s trucks to see 1,000 meters ahead of the vehicle, Hou said, noting that the vision range is farther and delivers better visibility than any other autonomous driving system today. This level of performance is essential for autonomous commercial trucks to operate safely at highway speeds — rain or shine, he said. “TuSimple is aiming to transform the $800-billion U.S. trucking industry by increasing safety, lowering costs, reducing carbon emissions and providing tools to optimize fleet logistics for operators,” Hou said. TuSimple is headquartered in San Diego and operates self-driving trucks out of Tucson, Arizona.

LISLE, Ill. — International Truck now offers Bendix Wingman Fusion, an integration of advanced safety technologies, as standard equipment on the entire lineup of on-highway tractors, including the International LoneStar, LT Series and RH Series trucks. Bendix Wingman Fusion is the Bendix flagship collision mitigation technology integrating radar, camera, and the vehicle’s brake system into a driver assistance system that delivers driver alerts and interventions to help them mitigate rear-end collisions, rollovers, and a loss-of-control situations. Wingman Fusion combines and cross-checks information from sensors that are working together — not just in parallel — along with powerful computing, to typically assesses situations faster and reacts earlier, while also helping to significantly reduce false alerts and false interventions, according to Jim Nachtman, director, heavy-duty, marketing, International Truck. By creating a highly detailed and accurate data picture, he said, Bendix Wingman Fusion delivers enhanced rear-end collision mitigation, and adaptive cruise control, along with following distance alerts, stationary object alerts, lane departure warning, alerts when speeding, and braking on stationary vehicles – all while prioritizing alerts to help reduce driver distraction. Event-based data – including video – can be wirelessly transmitted for driver coaching and analysis by fleet safety personnel. Other options include blind spot detection that helps drivers address vehicles in their blind spots that may not be visible in their mirrors. The forward-facing camera of Wingman Fusion is powered by the Mobileye System-on-Chip EyeQ processor with state-of-the-art vision algorithms. “As part of our DriverFirst philosophy, we concentrate on consistently improving the overall driver experience, specifically safety,” Nachtman said. “Partnering with Bendix to make Fusion standard on all of International Truck’s heavy-duty vehicles makes for an important joint contribution to make North American roadways safer for everyone.” Since the introduction of Bendix Wingman Fusion in 2015, International Truck has offered the technology as an option for all on-highway models. Bendix Wingman Fusion is also available as an option on International’s medium-duty lineup, including the International MV Series, HV Series, HX Series and CV Series trucks. “Bendix’s ongoing partnership with Navistar is built on years of shared commitment to driver, vehicle, and highway safety,” said Scott Burkhart, Bendix vice president – sales, marketing, and business development. “International Truck’s positioning of Wingman Fusion as standard equipment on its complete line of on-highway tractors is both a point of pride for the entire Bendix team and another step forward alongside a true leader in our industry.” According to Bendix, its safety technologies complement safe driving practices and are not intended to enable or encourage aggressive driving. No commercial vehicle safety technology replaces a skilled, alert driver exercising safe driving techniques and proactive, comprehensive driver training. Responsibility for the safe operation of the vehicle remains with the driver at all times. For more information on International Truck’s product lineup or to locate a dealer, visit internationaltrucks.com.  

NEENAH, Wis. —  For fleet managers, few things provide more valuable insight than witnessing a driver’s behavior firsthand. By adding video event hardware and management tools to its line of safety and compliance solutions, J.J. Keller & Associates has made it possible for fleets to do just that. The J.J. Keller Encompass Video Event Management solution and Dash Cam Pro will become available in early April 2019, offering an additional way for fleets of all sizes to manage risk, identify problematic driver behavior, and provide remedial coaching and training. “A quality in-cab video recording solution is crucial to helping fleets mitigate risk and protect their brand,” said Tom Reader, senior director of marketing at J.J. Keller & Associates. “Capturing driver video footage provides evidence leading up to an event or accident, exonerates innocent drivers, identifies fatigued or distracted driving, and delivers more information on driver behaviors — all of which can lead to reduced insurance rates and timely driver coaching, resulting in a tremendous return on investment.” J.J. Keller’s dash-mounted camera technology reads traffic signs and records driving footage. Reader said data captured can help with driver compliance and coaching by providing evidence of hard acceleration, hard braking, cornering, lane drifting, following too close, rolling stops, and more. Footage is available for review through a back-office dashboard featuring detailed driver and event reporting, data trends, and mapping to pinpoint where specific events took place. Combining video intelligence with J.J. Keller’s proven Encompass driver compliance dashboard delivers a unique scope of guidance particularly beneficial to fleets, Reader said. In studies conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), an event-based video system, combined with a driver behavior modification system, accounted for estimated reductions in fatal and injury crashes of 20 percent and 35 percent respectively. Similarly, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that onboard video systems provide valuable information for evaluating the circumstances leading to a crash, as well as critical data for assessing survivability. “We are focused on, and leading experts in, safety and decision tools that help fleets ensure their drivers and vehicles are operating safely and in compliance,” said Rustin Keller, J.J. Keller president and CEO. “Video event management is a game changer when it comes to helping fleets determine if they have safe drivers and safe vehicles, improving CSA scores, and reducing accidents and risk.” Learn more about the J.J. Keller Dash Cam Pro and Encompass Video Event Management solution at JJKeller.com/Video.  

BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — Jacobs Vehicle Systems,a manufacturer of diesel and natural gas engine retarding systems and valve actuation mechanisms, has launched a compression release engine brake for the all-new 2020 Hino XL Series truck. Over the past two decades, Hino Motors’ and Jacobs Vehicle Systems’ engineers have collaborated to provide engine brakes to the Japanese market. Today, the relationship continues with the introduction of the A09 engine to the U.S. market.  The two companies partnered to design a high-performing compression release engine brake for Hino’s first Class 7 and Class 8 commercial vehicle in North America. “Hino is well respected globally for its reliability and performance, and we are honored to be part of Hino’s first Class 7/8 launch in the U.S.,” said Dennis Gallagher, President, Jacobs Vehicle Systems. “Jacobs’ expertise in engine braking coupled with Hino’s ability to drive excellence in quality will create a great customer experience.” The Jacobs Engine Brake is currently available on Hino’s A09 engine and comes factory installed on all class XL7 and XL8 Series trucks. “The engine brake for the A09 engine provides optimal braking performance which drivers have come to depend on,” Gallagher said. “Some benefits include being fully integrated with the engine electronic control system and ABS, a two-stage brake operation of medium and high, and cruise control compatibility for greater driver control.” To learn more about the newly launched XL Series and the Jacobs Engine Brake performance, visit hino.com/hino-trucks-xl-series.html or jacobsvehiclesystems.com. Jacobs Vehicle Systems is headquartered in Bloomfield, Conn., where it has a 25,000 square meter design, testing and manufacturing facility, with support sites in Europe, Japan, and India as well as manufacturing facilities in Suzhou, China and, from 2019, Brno, Czech Republic. Hino Motors, Ltd., headquartered in Hinodai, Hino-shi, Tokyo, Japan, is one of the leading heavy-duty truck manufacturers in Japan.          

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — WABCO Holdings, a global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies designed to improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, has unveiled a comprehensive brand, product and technical service platform for North American aftermarket distributors, independent service garages and fleets. The new aftermarket offering, launched at the recent Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2019, is designed to address the needs of customers throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle. The WABCO aftermarket brand and product portfolio encompasses WABCO original products, the same parts selected by original equipment manufacturers, WABCO Reman Solutions, featuring a full range of OEM parts carefully remanufactured and upgraded to the latest performance specifications; MICO hydraulic components, controls and brake locks for medium and light duty vehicles; Sheppard commercial steering components; and ProVia quality aftermarket replacement parts for vehicles that are later in their service lifecycles. These products are available from leading aftermarket distributors throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The company further supports its customers via sales and technical training, diagnostic solutions, technical services and parts ordering support, according to Abe Aon, WABCO regional aftermarket sales leader, North America. Each of these is offered through the recently launched WABCO Customer Care Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. “WABCO offers a uniquely powerful range of world-class technologies backed by brands that have earned the trust and loyalty of customers at every level of the commercial vehicle industry,” Aon said. “Above all, our brands are backed by a comprehensive network of business and technical support services designed to help customers maximize the uptime and ROI of every fleet asset.” Official launch of the WABCO aftermarket platform is the latest of several significant company achievements in the North American market, Aon said. In the past three years WABCO has acquired four leading commercial vehicle industry suppliers: MICO Inc., Laydon Composites Ltd., R.H. Sheppard Co. Inc., and the remaining share of the former Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems joint venture. Former Meritor WABCO aftermarket parts – including air compressors, air dryers, braking systems, collision safety systems, electronically controlled air suspensions, and stability control systems – are distributed exclusively by Meritor in the U.S. and Canada and on a non-exclusive basis in Mexico. “Our technologies and relentless focus on customer success are driving the growth of our aftermarket business,” said Jon Morrison, WABCO president, Americas. “Our extensive network of distributors and their customers embrace the value of a highly strategic, end-to-end aftermarket program that meets the needs of their businesses from the very beginning of vehicle ownership, on the road and in the maintenance shop.”    

MONTERREY, NL, Mexico —  Expanding its global engineering capabilities, Bendix (Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC and Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC) Wednesday held a grand opening celebration of its new Technical Center in Monterrey, Mexico. Members of the Bendix Executive Board, key Bendix business and engineering leaders, as well as guests from various Bendix partner universities, business partners, and collaborators of the Technical Center attended the celebration. Located within an existing building at the Research and Technological Innovation Park (PIIT), the 7,800-square-foot center reflects Bendix as an evolving global company and a technology innovator. The site helps further expand its North American presence by driving research and development across the expansive Bendix portfolio of integrated products and solutions. The Monterrey-based team – working in tandem with Bendix and Knorr-Bremse engineering colleagues across North America and worldwide, respectively – will help advance new and emerging technologies to deliver more value to the company’s global customers and further strengthen its global presence. The Knorr-Bremse Group is Bendix’s Munich, Germany-based parent company. The projects undertaken at the center will support the entire Bendix product portfolio. The efforts of the Monterrey-based engineering team will help reinforce the company’s ongoing initiatives as well as to address the unprecedented introduction of emerging commercial vehicle technologies, including vehicle electrification, automated and autonomous vehicles, and the ongoing search for greater fuel efficiency. “Our legacy and future are built on the innovation and expertise of our engineering teams that work around the world to maintain a strong and hands-on relationship aimed at bolstering our existing expertise and long-term strategic impact,” said Richard Beyer, vice president – engineering and R&D at Bendix. “Mexico, where our industry manufactures more than a third of its commercial vehicle tractors and trailers, has been a vital part of Bendix’s business for 30 years, dating to the establishment of manufacturing operations in Acuña in May 1988. Today, through this center located in Monterrey, we can further enhance our presence in North America and expand our engineering footprint.” Bendix’s headquarters in Elyria will remain the company’s engineering and R&D leadership hub. The company also maintains vibrant engineering operations in Acuña, Mexico; Irvine, California; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and Vancouver, British Columbia. “One of the fundamental goals of this Technical Center is to help develop and validate new applied safety technologies for commercial vehicles, increase overall value for our customers, and drive the competitiveness of our engineering,” said Juan Carlos Mellado, director of product engineering at Bendix – Mexico. “We can achieve this by incorporating a solid group of highly skilled engineers from numerous universities into our team, leveraging their wide-ranging experience in developing and shaping transportation technologies for today and tomorrow.” Mellado continued, “We will also develop and maintain a close working relationship with prestigious local universities renowned for their technical experience, such as ITESM, UANL, and UdeM, in addition to the CONACYT’s research centers. Our location in the Research and Technological Innovation Park is of fundamental importance in ensuring the success of our new Technical Center.” Employees at the new center will also continue the long-standing Bendix corporate culture of giving back to the communities in which company team members live and work. Bendix delivers on areas critical to the success of fleets and owner-operators – including safety, reliability, vehicle performance and efficiency, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO) – through an ever-growing portfolio of wheel-end and advanced safety technologies. By complementing its products with unparalleled post-sales support, Bendix aims to strengthen return on investment in equipment that improves highway and vehicle safety for everyone sharing the road.    

LAS VEGAS — WABCO Holdings, a global supplier of braking control systems and other safety technologies used the platform of the Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week here to reveal new safety solutions as well as certified Sheppard remanufactured steering gears for the North American aftermarket. The announcements reflect the company’s continued investment in high-quality systems and parts for commercial vehicles at every stage of the ownership lifecycle, said Abe Aon, WABCO regional aftermarket sales leader, North America. Aon said products unveiled during the show included: WABCO OnSide and OnGuardACTIVE Retrofit Kits. Fast and easy to install, these kits enable fleets to add the latest, market-proven collision mitigation/avoidance technologies to existing vehicles, Aon said. OnSide Blind Spot Detection is a radar-based system that supports drivers in passing and lane-change maneuvers. The system provides a warning when it detects a moving vehicle within a 160-degree blind spot range. OnGuardACTIVE is a radar-based active safety system that can offer collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning. When needed, the system can actively apply the brakes to help avoid or mitigate a collision. WABCO Remanufactured Enhanced Easy-Stop Trailer ABS Systems. Available in one- and two-modulator configurations to meet the requirements of virtually any trailer application, these original equipment-quality systems ensure proper braking force is delivered for exceptional trailer stability and control. With the combination of OE-quality construction and performance, WABCO remanufactured Enhanced Easy-Stop systems also help avoid wheel lock-up and reduce excessive tire wear and flat spotting, Aon said. Genuine Sheppard Remanufactured Steering Gears. In 2017, WABCO acquired R.H. Sheppard Co., Inc., a global leader in steering gears and other products for the original equipment and replacement markets. WABCO now offers nearly 400 genuine Sheppard remanufactured steering gear variants, each guaranteed to both look and perform like new. Each unit must pass a 17-point performance check before being approved for market use. In addition, these remanufactured units are covered by the same warranty as Sheppard OEM-service new replacement gears. “WABCO can help fleets enhance vehicle productivity and safety through innovative retrofit solutions as well as repairs needed at any stage of the ownership lifecycle,” Aon said. “Our aftermarket brands are marks of excellence in each of their respective categories, delivering added confidence and value to every purchase.” For more information, visit wabco-auto.com.

DALLAS — The Goodyear Endurance LHS long-haul steer tire, Goodyear’s best long-haul steer tire for miles to removal, is delivering remarkable mileage in fleet testing, the company said Friday. “This tire, which was introduced last year, is providing extraordinary mileage in fleet evaluations — in some cases, 175,000 miles, 186,000 miles and in one fleet test, more than 210,000 miles,” said Mahesh Kavaturu, director of technology, commercial tires. Kavaturu said 13 fleets have evaluated the tire, logging more than 13 million combined miles to date. And more than 200 fleets are currently running the Goodyear Endurance LHS. Like its complement tire, the Goodyear Endurance LHD long-haul drive tire, the Goodyear Endurance LHS is SmartWay-verified and is a key part of Goodyear’s Total Solution of trusted products, reliable services and fleet management tools, delivered by a nationwide network, Kavaturu said. Optimized to help provide long miles to removal, Kavaturu  said the Goodyear Endurance LHS features: A new, wear-resistant tread compound; A new dual-layer tread with uniform stiffness for slow, even wear; New rigid casing construction for a consistent footprint; and New casing compounds for low rolling resistance. “Long-haul fleets are the biggest segment of the North American trucking market,” said Kavaturu. “When it comes to tires, these companies measure every mile. And they want to get as many miles as possible out of their tire investment, without sacrificing other performance benefits like fuel efficiency, even wear and traction. “We are confident the new Goodyear Endurance LHS, along with the Goodyear Endurance LHD, can help fleets achieve this balance and ultimately lower their operating costs,” he added. The Goodyear Endurance LHS is available in the following sizes: 295/75R22.5 (Load Ranges G and H); 11R22.5 (Load Ranges G and H); 285/75R24.5 (Load Ranges G and H); and 11R24.5 (Load Ranges G and H). Both the Goodyear Endurance LHS and Goodyear Endurance LHD are available through the Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Network, which encompasses more than 2,300 Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service Centers and authorized, independent Goodyear commercial tire dealerships throughout the United States and Canada. “We are confident the Goodyear Endurance LHS will become the ‘go-to’ steer tire for long-haul fleets that are looking for optimal returns on their tire investment,” said Kavaturu. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.        

SAN DIEGO — Rocketail, makers of aerodynamic tail systems for semi-trailers, has launched its Rocketail Wing, what the company calls the next generation rear drag reduction technology for trailers. The Rocketail system is a verified EPA SmartWay trailer rear fairing technology for heavy-duty truck trailers that has exhibited a certified fuel efficiency improvement of over 3.58 gallons per 1,000 miles. “Rocketail solves the ‘three D’s’ essential to performance for any aerodynamic tail system; drag, deployment and damage,” said Michael Militello, Rocketail CEO.  “Our Rocketail Wing is integrated with the trailer door, so it’s always deployed, it extends a mere 14 inches from the rear of the trailer eliminating a main cause of rear collision damage in current tail systems, and it delivers proven drag-reducing performance.” Featuring a “breakthrough” jet wing design, the one-piece airfoil was certified by MVT Solutions to provide a fuel economy improvement of 3.36 percent and by PIT Group to improve fuel efficiency by 3.30 percent in testing. Constructed of lightweight high-impact, gas-infused polymers that are internally cross-braced, the wing-shaped airfoil has a compact footprint with no additional external or internal moving parts. It extends only 14 inches from the rear of the trailer compared to as much as four feet for other rear drag solutions on the market. Militello said the Rocketail Wing is always deployed using unique swing-hinges that lock the wings in their maximum aerodynamic open position each time the doors are closed. The system shifts the wings flush with the sides of the trailer each time the doors are opened, allowing the doors to swing a full 270 degrees without being blocked. Each Rocketail Wing attaches without guy-wires or struts with just two industrial-grade, stainless steel hinges. Installation, requiring only drill bits and tightening tools, takes two people about one hour to complete. Each wing weighs less than 25 pounds and requires minimal to no annual maintenance. “Rocketail is maximally effective because its multi-element airfoil design has unique patented features that smooth and redirect rearward airflow behind a trailer while producing forward lift, similar to a wing on a jet aircraft,” Militello said. “Additionally, placing the device one inch away from the trailer wall avoids having the boundary air layer interact with higher volume, more uniform airflow. These two design features enable Rocketail to have a profile that’s 50 percent to 80 percent smaller than competitive designs.” For more information about the Rocketail Wing or about Rocketail, visit www.rocketail.com.      

By CHARLES CYRILL ATD/NADA Director of Public Relations SAN FRANCISCO — Trey Mytty, president and CEO of Truck Center Companies in Omaha, Nebraska, has named 2019 Truck Dealer of the Year. He was presented his award during the 2012 American Truck Dealers annual meeting here. “It’s a great honor … congratulations to all of the other nominees,” said Mytty, who recently began a two-year term as dealer council chairman for Freightliner. “This business started for me as a summertime job washing trucks and it has turned into many opportunities and meeting a lot of fantastic people.” Truck Center Companies includes eight dealerships and parts and service facilities in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa representing Freightliner, SelecTrucks, Freightliner Custom Chassis, Western Star, Thomas Built Buses, Ottawa and Isuzu franchises. “One thing we know is that all of us have great products. The technological advances are amazing, and there’s good things happening. But I think really one of our biggest challenges is attracting people into our industry,” Mytty said. “We have 575 employees at our dealership and I’m very proud of them, and this is really their award for what they do every day.” The national award recognizes commercial-truck dealers who demonstrate a track record of success in dealership management, service to the industry and community impact. Terry Minor, president and CEO of Cumberland International Trucks in Nashville, Tenn., was named runner-up. The other nominees were David Kriete, president and CEO of Kriete Truck Centers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Kim Mesfin, president of Affinity Truck Center in Fresno, California; Harry Moyer, president of Lowe and Moyer Garage in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania; and John Nichols, CEO of Palmer Trucks in Indianapolis. The six nominees operated in 10 different states from 35 locations and represented nine commercial truck brands. The nominees were selected by ATD board members and dealer association executives. Professors from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business in Bloomington, Ind., evaluated the nominees.

ELYRIA, Ohio — The Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake (BSFB) is adding the new Bendix BA235 air disc brake pad kit to its aftermarket portfolio. It’s the right selection for both truck/tractor and trailer ADB applications, said Keith McComsey, BSFB director of marketing and customer solutions-wheel-end, who noted that the BA235 pad provides a lower-cost option for pad replacement while retaining the performance, warranty and post-sales support. The BA235 aftermarket kit — best suited for a second or third vehicle owner — is available through authorized Bendix dealerships and aftermarket distributors. As part of its expanded air disc brake pad portfolio, Bendix also offers the BX276 genuine OEM replacement pad. The long-life BX276 pad is suitable for all applications and provides more wearable volume and an improved wear rate. For severe duty brake applications such as refuse and school bus, Bendix offers the BX283 pad. All of these Bendix ADB pads meet FMVSS-121 requirements and the current EPA Copper-Free Brake Initiative requirements. “Since we first introduced air disc brakes in 2005 to the North American commercial vehicle market with the Bendix ADB22X, the popularity of air disc brakes has grown annually – particularly over the last five years,” McComsey said. “At this point, there are a lot of air disc-braked trucks in the hands of second or even third owners, who may have completely different needs than the original buyer. And with more ADB-equipped vehicles hitting the road every day, we want to make sure we’re supporting all the needs of the air disc brake aftermarket.” McComsey said when Bendix says its aftermarket pad friction meets FMVSS-121 requirements, the company means it. “We don’t cut corners to take cost out, specifically when it comes to safety. In today’s marketplace, we know vehicle operators have options when it comes to replacement pad choices for our ADB22X brake, but we urge owners to be wary of the reduced performance on a number of these aftermarket choices,” McComsey said. “Our testing shows that stopping distance performance can be severely impacted — adding up to 75 feet, or roughly the equivalent of five car lengths – when non-Bendix pads are used. While also increasing the potential for rear-end collisions due to extended stopping distance, inferior aftermarket pads may also increase the risk of vehicle roll-aways, since many of them do not meet the FMVSS-121 park-hold requirements. Some of these pads have significantly reduced capability, rating at only 40 percent of the requirement.” McComsey said Bendix ADB pads are designed to provide long pad and rotor life. The BA235 pad has good wear properties and provides consistent rotor wear while meeting Bendix’s rotor stress cracking requirements. He noted that ongoing testing proved other aftermarket pads may claim long friction life, but this is often at the expense of the rotor, which may lead to stress cracking that requires costly rotor replacement, and may even place a vehicle out of service for CSA violations – or both. “When choosing ADB replacement pad kits, customers must also consider the hardware kit components (pad retention springs, retainer bars, etc.), which play an important role in the function and longevity of the overall ADB system,” McComsey said. “Some low-cost, all-fit aftermarket replacement kits include inferior hardware that poses a risk of failure, or these kits do not include all the necessary components for a complete pad replacement. In this instance, end users are expected to reuse key components that are often corroded or stressed from prior service. All Bendix replacement pad kits include a complete hardware set utilizing all OEM components for a complete replacement to protect your ADB system. “The more fleets and owner-operators discover the proven reliability and return on investment of air disc brake technology, the more important it becomes to help ensure these advantages are realized over the life of the brake, through multiple friction changes,” McComsey said. “No matter how long they’ve been on the road, safer trucks mean safer highways for everyone. Bendix shares a commitment to safety with our aftermarket partners, and it’s helping us to shape tomorrow’s transportation, together.” A joint venture between Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems and Dana Commercial Vehicle Products, BSFB contributes to the full lineup of Bendix wheel-end safety solutions – including air disc and foundation drum brakes – from its manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky. BSFB delivers safety, reliability, and stopping power to fleets and owner-operators, strengthening return on investment and lowering total cost of ownership. BSFB solutions are backed by unparalleled post-sales support and part of an overall safety equation aimed at improving vehicle and highway safety across North America. For more information about Bendix air disc brake pads, call 1-800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.

ELYRIA, Ohio — Air disc brake adoption for tractors and trailers continues to escalate across North America. Mileage, life and safety expectations are high for the growing number of air-disc-braked tractors and trailers. To help meet these vehicle operator expectations, Bendix Spicer Foundation Brake LLC (BSFB) now offers remanufactured calipers. The calipers offer price advantages while providing the performance, warranty and post-sales support expected of North America’s leader in commercial vehicle air disc brakes. “We’re always looking to meet the needs of our growing number of air disc brake customers with quality products, so it makes sense to offer a remanufactured caliper option,” said Keith McComsey, BSFB director of marketing and customer solutions, wheel-end. “At this point, air disc brakes have been widely available in the North American market for almost 15 years, and are factory installed at all the major truck manufacturers. In developing these remanufactured calipers for the aftermarket, we’re combining Bendix’s acknowledged leadership in wheel-end solutions and air disc brake production with the nearly 40 years of experience as a leader in remanufacturing.” As with other Bendix remanufactured components, the newly launched brake calipers are produced using the rigorous processes and standards in place for OEM components. After inspection and disassembly, used caliper cores are separated, blasted, cleaned and an e-coat is applied. Key components are replaced with new OEM versions, and the calipers are reassembled and quality checked with the identical equipment and standards Bendix uses for manufacturing new calipers. “Remanufacturing always involves replacing or repairing a core’s components to bring the part up to OEM specs,” McComsey said. “If a company doesn’t have full access to OEM-quality components and production processes, you can’t truly call that a fully remanufactured part – which means you’re rolling the dice as far as what components are going into it, and whether all the proper quality control steps are in place.” Bendix’s commitment to remanufacturing earned the company a position as one of the first ambassador companies of the Manufactured Again Certification program from MERA – The Association for Sustainable Manufacturing, McComsey said. The program helps purchasers easily identify remanufactured goods with like-new quality and warranty coverage. Launched in November 2016, Manufactured Again Certification is aligned with the internationally recognized quality management standards ISO 9001 and IATF 16949. “That tractor out there built in 2005 and equipped with air disc brakes may or may not belong to the same fleet or owner-operator anymore and over the years and miles, vehicle needs and priorities change,” McComsey said. “What stays unchanged is our commitment to helping support the safety of those vehicles and drivers. Bendix remanufactured calipers offer a cost-effective option for our customers to service their vehicles while maintaining the highest levels of safety and performance.” Bendix remanufactured calipers are supported by field-tested sales and service professionals; a veteran field technical support team; and the Bendix Tech Team (at 1-800-AIR-BRAKE), an expert technical support group providing service advice, brake system troubleshooting, and product training. Customers can also log on and learn from the Bendix experts at www.brake-school.com. The Bendix multimedia center at knowledge-dock.com offers always updated videos, blog posts, podcasts, and white papers. For more information about Bendix remanufactured calipers, call 800-AIR-BRAKE or visit www.foundationbrakes.com.  

GALESBURG, Mich. —  Power management company Eaton has launched its aftermarket portal and e-commerce platform for its heavy-duty truck aftermarket product portfolio. The new platform is designed to improve the ease of doing business with Eaton, consolidating information from multiple locations and introducing a variety of product-related research tools, according to Tim Bauer, vice president, aftermarket, North America, Eaton’s Vehicle Group. Customers can quickly find the latest product information and literature, request additional support, sign up for training and much more, he said, adding that customers can easily identify the right clutch for their application by using the newly created clutch product selector tool, located on the home page. The new portal can be accessed at www.EatonPartsOnline.com. In addition to enhanced product information, the portal allows customers to conduct business with Eaton via a new business-to-business e-commerce interface. With a personalized login, customers can place orders in a variety of formats, view current inventory, review order history, reprint invoices, track shipments and more. “The new website and ordering capabilities are an integral part of helping our customers have more real-time information at their fingertips and improving the ease of doing business with Eaton’s aftermarket business,” Bauer said. “Eaton plans to continue to add product lines, tools and information to the website moving forward. Our commitment to quality, customer support and ease of doing business will continue to be our focus as we work to enhance the customer experience with Eaton’s aftermarket business.” To view a brief informational video about the Eaton aftermarket portal and e-commerce platform, click here. Eaton is a power management company with 2017 sales of $20.4 billion that provides energy-efficient solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power more efficiently, safely and sustainably. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.          

By Don Ake Vice President, Commercial Vehicles FTR Transportation Intelligence The question I get asked the most by people inside, and outside, the industry is: When will there be driverless trucks on the highways? This, of course, is a difficult question because it not only involves adaptation to technology, but a host of other complicated factors as well. But my answer is this: You will see driverless trucks as soon as the general population accepts driverless cars. When people are comfortable riding in a driverless car, then they will not object to a fully-loaded, driverless tractor-trailer behind them on the highway. I realize this is not a specific answer but providing an exact year at this point amounts to SWAG. It is difficult to calculate an adoption rate curve because, in addition to economics, there are cultural, political and other issues to resolve. I believe most people are currently fearful of self-driving cars. This fear will, of course, be reduced by all the “self-adjusting/correcting” options (braking, parking, lane-assist, speed-adjust, etc.) available on newer vehicles. In addition, there will be public service campaigns trumpeting the increase in safety provided by self-driving cars. Reduction in accidents, deaths, and drunk drivers will be the main benefits. Improved traffic flow is also an expected plus. And traffic safety is of growing importance as millions of baby-boomers with diminishing skills share the road with the texting Millennials. Throw in increased marijuana legalization, and we all may end up demanding self-driving cars. Personally, I know I will be extremely distressed the first time I am in a driverless car. I have never even used cruise control, because I must always be in total control of my vehicle. However, I do look forward to the day when I summon a car to take me to my doctor’s office. A robot will load me in the vehicle and another robot will lift me out. If I can adapt to this, I think other’s in my generation will also. But the final push for self-driving cars may come from insurance companies. If you drive your car, your rates are $10,000 a year, but they fall to $1,000 if the car drives itself. “This is America, so it is your choice. We are not telling you what to do, but…” Why is public opinion so important? Because Congress is not going to approve the use of driverless trucks if people are fearful. It may take years to even write the regulations. Of course, if one political party writes them, they will be too lax, and if it is the other party, they will be too tight. But there will be extensive debates and lobbyists promoting various interests, etc. You can argue that the financial incentive for driverless trucks is so significant it will overrun all the obstructions and objections: “It is so obvious that they have to pass it!” Yes, and the government is working so well, [as this is being written] it is currently shut down. And I will refer you back to the history of legislation on freight weight and trailer size. “When is that 33-foot trailer legislation going to pass?” Now, you can also argue that the truck will always need a “driver,” but that is based on today’s technology and logistics framework. Twenty years from now technological improvements in automation, robotics, and logistics adaptation may change everything. Maybe then you will just need an “attendant” to ride in the vehicle for emergencies. This could even spark a new form of ride sharing. “Ride in the truck for free from Kansas City to Memphis and call us if anything goes wrong.” I do agree with those who say “platooning” will come first. This involves two or more trucks connected by automated driving technology traveling down the highway in a line, separated by a close, set distance from each other. Successful platooning will also help people to accept the self-driving truck concept. However, this still will need to be legislated, with regulations, etc. And that’s why it is difficult to put a timetable on it. If you forced me to place a bet, maybe 2027. But driverless trucks will remain a hot topic of discussion until it ultimately happens. As I said, it is the topic I am asked about the most. I was actually giving my opinion on the subject to an anesthesiologist as he waited for me to go under before a recent medical procedure. So, it has to be an important subject because if something went disastrously wrong, those would have been my final words! Don Ake is vice president of commercial vehicles at FTR and is responsible for forecasting Class 8 truck and trailer demand.  

LAS VEGAS — Mack Trucks Tuesday revealed a new loyalty reward program for members of eligible industry associations who purchase model year 2019 and 2020 Mack Granite, TerraPro, LR, Pinnacle or Mack Anthem models. Mack made the announcement during World of Concrete 2019 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Loyalty Reward Card Program offers members of eligible industry associations a $2,000 parts and service reward card per eligible VIN and a maximum of five trucks per member, per calendar year. All eligible vehicles must be sold and warranty-registered by December 31, 2019. “We recognize that customers require service and support after the initial truck purchase, so we’re pleased that Mack can offer the Loyalty Reward Card Program to help offset some of the cost, while improving customers’ total cost of ownership,” said Jonathan Randall, Mack Trucks senior vice president, North American sales and marketing. “The Loyalty Reward Card is another example of Mack’s dedication to service, support and having our customers’ backs.” The registered owner of the truck must be an active member of an eligible association prior to the date of truck purchase. Once verified, the member will receive the card within eight weeks. The following are the eligible associations: United States: American Concrete Pavement Association, American Trucking Associations, California Refuse and Recycling Council, Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program, Land Improvement Contractors of America,  National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Tank Truck Carriers, National Waste & Recycling Association, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Oregon Refuse and Recycling Association, Pennsylvania Asphalt Pavement Association, Solid Waste Association of North America, Truckload Carriers Association, Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association, Women In Trucking and Washington Refuse and Recycling Association Canada: Quebec Ready-Mix Association, Atlantic Concrete Association, Concrete Alberta, Concrete British Columbia, Concrete Manitoba, Concrete Ontario, Concrete Saskatchewan,  Owner-Operators Business Association of Canada, Ontario Trucking Association, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada and Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada.        

GILBERT, S.C. — Diesel Laptops, a distributor of commercial truck diesel diagnostic software, hardware and services, has launched a Virtual Diesel Technician Program. This program is a first in the commercial truck and off highway industry and is a real solution to the current diesel technician shortage that exists, according to according to Tyler Robertson, CEO of Diesel Laptops. Clients that utilize this program have full, unlimited access to Diesel Laptops’ certified, in-house diesel technicians who are available via phone and live chat and can both remote access the client’s diagnostic tools, and video stream through the end user’s mobile device. The program also grants clients access to the wide array of repair information that Diesel Laptops has created. This repair information includes VIN decoders, labor time guides, repair information on over 70,000 diagnostic fault codes, wiring diagrams, component locators, torque specifications, parts cross referencing, step-by-step repair information, and much more Robertson said. These applications are provided through traditional desktop applications, along with websites and mobile applications. “We all know that it is difficult to find qualified technicians,” Robertson said. “We also know it’s difficult for most shops to acquire the resources they need to properly diagnose and repair commercial trucks. The Virtual Diesel Technician Program gives repair shops access to both live, real world diesel technicians and repair information.” Diesel Laptops is staffed with certified diesel technicians from a variety of industries, and currently handles more than 50,000 customer repair, software, and diagnostic questions every year, Robertson said. “These are all documented and organized in the company’s database, allowing Diesel Laptops to build the world’s largest database of solutions for known symptoms and diagnostic codes,” he said. To learn more about the Virtual Diesel Technician Program, including watching an explainer video, visit www.DieselLaptops.com Diesel Laptops, founded in 2014, provides specialized diesel diagnostic equipment for the commercial truck, construction, automobile, agriculture, marine, and off-highway markets. Diesel Laptops is the industry leader in diesel diagnostic tools.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Kenworth Truck Co. and Toyota Motor North America are collaborating to develop 10 zero-emission Kenworth T680s powered by Toyota hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains. The collaboration was revealed during CES2019 here. This collaboration is part of a $41 million Zero and Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) grant preliminarily awarded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), with the Port of Los Angeles as the prime applicant. The grant monies are part of a larger $82 million program that will put fuel cell electric tractors, hydrogen fueling infrastructure, and zero emissions cargo handling equipment into operation in the ports and Los Angeles basin in 2020. The Kenworth T680s will transport cargo across the Los Angeles basin and to inland cities — such as Ontario and San Bernardino — while generating zero emissions, other than water vapor, thanks to their fully electric hydrogen fuel cell powertrain integrations co-developed by Kenworth and Toyota. “This is an excellent opportunity for Kenworth and Toyota to work together to both explore and drive the development of advanced zero emission technologies that will play a critical role in the commercial transportation of the future,” said Mike Dozier, Kenworth general manager and Paccar vice president. “This is not just a science experiment, the goal is to make a difference in society. To remove pollution and improve the air quality in and around the Port of Los Angeles,” said Bob Carter, executive vice president, Toyota Motor North America. The Kenworth T680s with the Toyota hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains combine hydrogen gas and air to produce electricity. The electricity powers electric motors to move the trucks, while also charging the lithium-ion batteries to optimize performance as needed. Sophisticated power management systems will apportion the electrical power from the fuel cells to the motors, batteries, and other components, such as electrified power steering and brake air compressors. The hydrogen fuel cell electric powered Kenworth T680s will have a range of over 300 miles under normal drayage operating conditions. The program will also fund foundational hydrogen fuel infrastructure, including two new fueling stations that, subject to a final investment decision by Equilon Enterprises LLC (dba Shell Oil Products U.S.), will be developed through Shell Oil Products U.S., to support the operation of the fuel cell electric trucks in Southern California. For more information on Kenworth, visit www.kenworth.com. For more information on Toyota, visit www.toyota.com.